A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting Inks & How To Use Them

Every crafter needs ink in their arsenal. Ink unlocks a whole new world of crafting possibilities, such as stamping and embossing, that even novice crafters can incorporate into their paper crafts.

Crafting ink is easy to use, but it helps to know a little bit about the ink you’re using. Between bleeding stamps and smudged designs, most crafters have had some trouble with inking. Certain inks are better for certain purposes, and we’re here to help you learn the differences.

Types of Crafting Ink

No ink is created equal. There are several different types of crafting ink, each with it’s own set of advantages and limitations. Here are some of the most common:

Dye Ink

Dye ink is one of the most widely available crafting inks. You can find it in almost any color imaginable, as well as a wide variety of pad sizes and styles.

The main thing you need to know about dye ink is that it soaks into your paper. This means that dye inks can fade over time or bleed when pressed onto fibrous or textured papers. Look for “archival” or “fade resistant” inks to avoid fading.

There are three main types of dye ink:

Water-based Dye InkWater-based dye inks are transparent, which makes them ideal for use on light colored card stock. These inks dry quickly, which makes water-based dye inks unsuitable for embossing. The water base means that the ink will bleed if you color over it with water-based mediums – try brushing over your stamped or inked design with water to achieve a unique watercolor effect like this one:

Distress Ink
Distress inks dry slower than other water-based dye inks, so they’re better for embossing. They also mix well with water and can be used to create watercolor effects.

Waterproof Dye Ink
Waterproof ink is more colorfast than other dye inks and won’t bleed or smear if you color over it, but it may be more difficult to clean.

Advantages

Dye ink is easily available in any color you might need. It’s suitable for a variety of uses and can be used to create a number of visual effects.

Limitations

Most dye inks bleed on textured paper or when they come into contact with water, and because they are transparent, they are less visible on dark colored paper. They also dry quicker than other types of ink, which makes them less ideal for embossing.

Recommended Uses

Card making, stamping or inking light colored card stock; creating interesting watercolor effects; layering inks to create patterns and new shades. Try combining multiple colors to create a beautiful background like you see here, or watch this video to learn how to create a watercolor effect:

Pigment Ink

Pigment inks have a glycerin base, which makes them thicker and more opaque than dye inks. Instead of soaking into your paper, pigment inks sit on top; as a result, they take longer to dry. They’re also fade-resistant, but may require heat setting to dry properly.

Advantages

Their longer drying time makes pigment ink ideal for embossing, and because the ink sits on top of your paper, pigment ink is perfect for use on dark colored card stock.

Limitations

Pigment ink will not dry on glossy or coated paper without heat setting. They can also be more difficult to clean, and may stain.

India Ink

India ink is archival and fade resistant, and available in a variety of colors. It’s ideal for use on both porous and non-porous surfaces.

Advantages

Dries very quickly and won’t bleed.

Limitations

Not ideal for embossing.

Recommended Uses

Stamping or creating outlines or designs you want to color in or over later. Use in combination with watercolors or other markers, like Taru Jehkonen did on the A2Z scrapbooking supply blog.

Spray Ink

Instead of coming in the form of an inkpad, spray ink comes in a spray bottle. Spray inks are available in a variety of colors, ranging from vibrant shades to subtle hues. Many spray inks are dye based and will behave the same way as normal dye-based inks.

Advantages

Can be used to achieve new looks and effects not attainable using inkpads

Limitations

May take some practice to perfect. Different spray inks require different types of care and maintenance; for example, some spray inks must be shaken (such as sparkly inks), while others should never be shaken.

Recommended Uses

Spray inks are ideal for use with stencils, and can produce visual effects that ink pads and stamps are unable to create. Here are some of our favorite techniques:

Watercolor Effect
Spray a small amount of one or two colors onto a palette or plastic plate. Lightly spray a sheet of watercolor paper with water, then use a flat, moistened brush to apply one ink color onto the paper. Clean the brush and apply a layer of the second color, blending where they meet. Try creating more texture by applying textured materials to the wet paint, such as felt, bubble wrap, or paper towel. Ali Manning created this beautiful watercolor wash using spray ink:

Saturated Color
Pour some ink into a shallow container and soak your paper in the ink to create an antique effect. The longer your paper remains in the ink, the darker the color will be

Splatters
Spray some ink into the bottle’s cap. Clear your work area. Hold the cap about a foot away from your surface, and flick your wrist to create the splatter. Blot the splatters with a paper towel. Ali also created these cool splatters using her spray inks:

5 Tips for Working with Crafting Inks

Keep your inkpads fresh and colorful, and ensure that your stamps and inked designs turn out perfectly every time with these tips:

Always put the lid back on your ink pad, even if you’re only taking a short break!

Storedye-based inkpads upside down so the ink falls the top of the pad. Pigment ink is sticky enough that you don’t need to store pigment inkpads upside down.

Only stamp with clean stamps. Dirty or stained stamps can pollute your inkpad and create muddy colors. If your inkpad is dirty, tap off the offending color using a paper towel. If your pad still isn’t clean, spray it with ammonia-free window cleaner, wait a few seconds, and wipe it clean.

To avoid over-inking your stamps, take your inkpad to your stamp (rather than pressing your stamp onto the inkpad), and tap the pad gently onto the surface of the stamp. Over-inking is more common for pigment inks, which often have a spongier inkpad than other ink varieties.

Always look at your stamp before you stamp! Check for bleed, or over- or under-inked areas.

Ink-redible Inks

Ink is a versatile tool every crafter should know how to use. Different inks are better suited for different purposes, and knowing the distinctions can save you a lot of heartbreak if your stamped or inked design doesn’t turn out exactly how you’d imagined it.

Steph Schinkel

Steph is an avid crafter, DIY enthusiast, and regular contributor to The Paper who loves to handmake all of her cards. Above all else, Steph is a die-hard foodie with a massive sweet tooth and a deep, soul-consuming love for chocolate.

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